Professor Thomas is stepping out of her current role as UNE’s Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor to be the Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Research Council, which awards Australian Government funding for research projects.

Prof. Duncan said Prof. Thomas’s appointment reflects the calibre of staff at the University of New England.

“Since her arrival at UNE in 2015 Sue has been integral in the development of the university’s Strategic Plan to 2020, delivering new products to market and improving UNE’s engagement with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community,” Prof Duncan said.

“I regret that we are losing Sue’s expertise from UNE, but I’m delighted that she is heading up an agency that is vital to Australian innovation and academic excellence.

“I know the ARC will be in good hands, and we look forward to working with Sue in her new capacity.”

Professor Thomas said the decision to leave UNE was difficult.

“It is an exciting and challenging time to be part of the higher education sector,” she said. “A large part of my role has been to assist the University in becoming more agile to address the changes in this area.”

“I have enjoyed my time working with UNE’s staff and students, and with Professor Annabelle Duncan as Vice-Chancellor. I look forward to my new role with the Australian Research Council.”

The University of New England respects and acknowledges that its people, programs and facilities are built on land, and surrounded by a sense of belonging, both ancient and contemporary, of the world's oldest living culture. In doing so, UNE values and respects Indigenous knowledge systems as a vital part of the knowledge capital of Australia.